HORIZONTAL MIXER APPARATUS AND METHOD WITH IMPROVED SHAFT END SEAL STRUCTURE

摘要

A horizontal mixer for mixing and processing materialsincludes a horizontally disposed mixing chamber and an elongatedrotatable mixing shaft extending longitudinally through thechamber. The drive apparatus is coupled lo a drive of the mixingshaft to rotate the shaft and mix material placed in the chamber. Astub end of the shaft has a bearing portion extending through anend wall of the chamber opposite the drive end of the shaft. Thebearing portion engages a sleeve bearing which is operable forrotatably supporting the stub end proximate the end wall opening.A sealing shroud is coupled proximate the sleeve bearing andcovers an outer portion of the shaft stub end. A static shroud sealis coupled with the sealing shroud at an interface between theshroud and the sleeve bearing. The static shroud is maintained outof direct contact with the rotatable shaft stub end. The sealingshroud and static shroud effectively isolate the shaft stub such thatleakage between the chamber and the outside atmosphere isgenerally prevented.